What are signs of cancer in children?

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Signs of cancer in children include unexplained weight loss, frequent infections and vision changes, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. However, cancer is hard to detect in children, and these symptoms may be caused by another medical condition, which is why parents should contact a doctor to diagnose their child.

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Other signs of cancer in children include headaches that occur with vomiting in the morning, swelling or pain in the back and legs, lumps on the body, excessive bruising and a white color behind the pupils, notes the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Nausea, constant tiredness, paleness and recurring fevers are also signs of cancer in children. Some children with cancer do not have any obvious symptoms of the disease.

Children with different types of cancers experience different symptoms as well, explains the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The most common type of childhood cancer is acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which usually occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 4. Signs of acute lymphoblastic leukemia include bleeding, weakness, fever, weight loss and joint pain. A brain tumor is also a common form of childhood cancer, causing symptoms such as frequent vomiting, dizziness, balance problems and headaches. Neuroblastoma, a cancer typically found in children under 5, causes difficulty walking, high blood pressure, diarrhea and bulging eyes.